University Communications
Each student is provided with a Fresno Pacific University email address as the official method for communicating deadlines and other important information. Students are required to check their Fresno Pacific University email on a regular basis.
University Catalog
Students are responsible for becoming familiar with the information presented in this catalog and for knowing and observing all policies and procedures related to their participation in the university community.
Students are personally responsible for following all policies and meeting all deadlines and requirements. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, academic requirements and general procedures and policies. Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions granted based on a student's lack of knowledge regarding Fresno Pacific University policies or procedures. Additional policies and procedures can be found in the student handbooks.
Catalog Controlling Graduation
Students who remain continuously enrolled must satisfy degree and general education requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time they first attended the university as degree candidates. In the event that a student takes a leave of absence for less than one calendar year, the student will resume studies under the catalog in effect at the time they first attended the university as degree candidates. In the event that a student takes a leave of absence for one calendar year or longer, the student will resume studies under the catalog in effect at the time of reenrollment. This policy will apply even if the changes in curriculum for that program and/or general education are significant. Catalogs take effect on the first day of class for the fall term of the academic year for which they are published.
Course Numbering
Lower-division undergraduate courses are numbered 100-299. Students are expected to complete all their 100- and 200-level courses in their freshman and sophomore years. Upper- division courses are intended for students with junior or senior standing and are numbered 300 and 400. Courses numbered 100-499 that include an H are honors courses. Course offerings at the 600-700 level are for eligible seniors and graduate students. Certain courses may also have prerequisites.
Numbers |
Definition |
1-49 |
Non-credit educational experiences. |
50-99 |
Pre-baccalaureate university credit courses of a preparatory, developmental or semiprofessional nature. Courses are not applicable to degree requirements. |
100-299 |
Lower-division undergraduate courses that are general and introductory. They are intended to provide a foundation for advanced work. |
300-499 |
Upper-division undergraduate courses that generally assume prior knowledge and experience in the subject, with content more advanced or specific than lower-division courses. |
500-599 |
Courses that apply to Undergraduate and/or Graduate programs. |
Course Syllabi and Assignments
The syllabi, course outlines or lesson plans for courses in the programs of study at Fresno Pacific University are subject to changes at the discretion of instructors. Students are encouraged to select courses based on degree requirements and other factors related to individual instructors, but students should not construe syllabi, et al., used in prior terms or distributed at the start of a term, as an unalterable commitment of the instructor or the university.
Variations in the learning needs of students, inherent uncerainty in predicting exactly how material for a course should be covered and an ambiguity in determining the most effective means of evaluating students dictates that a design for instruction may need to be adjusted. Therefore, in order to be pedagogically responsible, the university allows that reading assignments, written assignments, examinations, daily topics and means and weights involved in the instructor's evaluation of students can change as needed after instruction has begun.
Instructors are encouraged to be as faithful as possible to published syllabi or lesson plans. However, if altering these is judged by instructors to be necessary and appropriate, instructors may do so but are requested to share with their students in a timely manner how the course syllabi or lesson plans have changed.
Students are required to keep a copy of all work that they submit. If an assignment that has been sumbitted to the isntructor is lost, the student will be required to provide a replacement. If the student does not have a copy of their work, it will be presumed that the work was not completed and submitted.
For traditional undergraduate students, no work will be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the last week of the semester or session. For degree completion students, the last day to accept work is three days after the last day of class.
Transfer Credits/Credits for Previous Course Work
Transfer Credit Units
Fresno Pacific University operates on a semester unit system.
Students may receive credit for courses taken at other institutions, subject to the limitations given below. All documents used for transcript evaluation must be official. Tranfer courses taken at foreign institutions require a certified English translation and evaluation of the candidate's transcripts by one of the agencies approved by FPU (AERC or WES). this evaluation should be a Course-by-Course Report rather than a Document (degree) Report. All transfer work and FPU work is used to calculate a combined cumulative GPA for admission puposes.
All submitted transcripts become the property of Fresno Pacific University and cannot be returned to the student or forwarded to other institutions. Under federal policy, students have the right to view the documents in their file; the university does not provide or allow the making of copies of these documents.
Transfer credit evaluations are conducted by the Registrar's Office. Evaluations of major coursework for transfer is conducted at the school level in consultation with the program director. Students desiring additional review should coordinate that review with their faculty mentor or advisor. Students who with to appeal when credit is not granted for previous courses should complete a Substitution/Transfer Request.
Transfer credit is always evaluated and applied to a student's record according to the transfer standard in effect at the time the official transcript is received by the Registrar's Office. If the standard changes subsequent to the initial evaluation, the student may request that the Registrar's Office re-evaluate the transfer credit. Students make this request at their own risk, as the change in standards may result in fewer transfer credits and different FPU course requirements.
Quarter units are converted to semester units by multiplying the number of quarter units by 2 and then dividing by 3. For example, 5 quarter units times 2 divided by 3 = 3.33 semester units. See chart for further examples.
Quarter Units |
Semester Units |
1 |
0.66 |
2 |
1.33 |
3 |
2.00 |
4 |
2.66 |
5 |
3.33 |
The university grants transfer credit in accordance with the following criteria:
- A maximum of 70 semester units may be transferred from regionally accredited two-year institutions. (There are no limits on transfers from accredited four-year institutions.)
- All transfer work is evaluated using the current FPU transfer agreement for the transfer school at the time of evaluation.
- The course credit is from approved higher educational institutions:
- The following institutions with accreditation recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation):
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- WASC Accrediting Commission for Community Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
- Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE)
- Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
- Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)
- Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools (AARTS)
- Those types of credit listed under Other Types of Undergraduate Credit below.
- A grade of C- or better was earned in the course.
Note: If a transfer student has completed an Associate's degree for transfer (ADT) or submitted the appropriate general education transfer certification, and received a grade lower than C- in one of those courses, then the student may have the associated general education requirement waived. This waived requirement will affect the number of elective credits a student must take to complete their degree.
- The course content does not overlap or repeat courses already completed or to be completed at Fresno Pacific University or another institution.
- Degree completion students may not transfer coursework for any of their program courses from other institutions; however some traditional undergraduate courses do meet program requirements. Check with the program advisor for specific information.
Also see the Degree Requirements section.
Foreign Transcript Evaluation
Previous educational work completed at foreign institutions requires a certified English translation and evaluation of the candidate's transcripts by one of the agencies approved by FPU. Postsecondary evaluations should be a Course-by-Course Report. Secondary education information may be a Document (degree) Report. Whether a student is an international or a domestic student, these third-party evaluations are required for the courses to be recognized as equivalent to U.S. baccalaureate or graduate-level work. For detailed information and a listing of accepted evaluation companies, please consult the FPU Registrar's Office webpage.
Course Substitution
Students may request that a course that is similar to a major course requirement or a general education course be substituted for the required course. (Substitutions cannot be made from life experience, work experience and non-baccalaureate coursework.) Students desiring a substitution should coordinate that review with their faculty mentor or advisor.
Challenge Exam
Students who feel they have a background in a particular field equivalent to that covered in a required FPU course may challenge that course by examination, providing the university acknowledges the course is eligible for challenge. For additional information, please refer to the Registrar's Office website.
Course Waiver
Occasionally, a specific course requirement may be waived because of previously completed coursework. If a course requirement is waived, other units must be substituted. A course waiver does not reduce the unit requirements for the degree program. Waivers cannot be made from life experience, work experience and non-baccalaureate coursework. For the process to request a waiver, please refer to the Registrar's Office website.
Other Types of Undergraduate Credit
A combined maximum of 30 units may be awarded for Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, military or ACE credit, transfer credit from unaccredited institutions and prior learning assessment. For additional details on each of these types of credit, please refer to the Registrar's Office website.
Transfer Credit from Unaccredited Institutions
Coursework taken at institutions with accreditations recognized by CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation), but do not have regional, ABHE, ATS, TRACS or AARTS accreditation, can be reviewed for possible transferability by the Registrar's Office. Transferability is based on current transfer standards from regionally accredited institutions. A maximum 30 units of coursework from unaccredited institutions may be consideredfor transferability to FPU; if deemed transferable, these units will satisfy elective requirements only. In all cases, conditions outlined for students entering from accredited colleges as transfer students will also apply.
Advanced Placement
Students who submit advanced placement tets scores of three or higher may be granted 3 semester units of credit. Students must have official AP transcripts from College Board sent to the Registrar's Office. To review equivalencies for AP exams at FPU, please examine the AP chart at https://www.fresno.edu/students/registrars-office/transferring-courses-and-course-credit
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Students can earn college credits by receiving a qualifying score on a variety of CLEP exams that measure how much is known about certain academic subjects. For an overview of academic subject CLEP exams available, please visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/exams. Students must have official CLEP transcripts from College Board sent to the Registrar's Office. To review qualifying scores and equivalencies for CLEP exams at FPU, please examine the CLEP chart at https://www.fresno.edu/students/registrars-office/transferring-courses-and-course-credit.
International Baccalaureate
Students may be granted credit through the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for advanced study in high school. Credit is awarded when a score of five or greater is earned in higher level IB subject exams. Credit awarded for examination is equal to that of the Fresno Pacific University courses to which it corresponds.
Military or ACE Credit
ACE (American Council on Education) elective credit is awarded for documented college-level learning obtained in military and other adult learning experiences. This coursework must be baccalaureate level and will be awarded elective credit only. Students should request military transcripts from the brance of the military in which they completed service at https://jst.doded.mil [Army, Navy, Marines, & Coast Guard] or http://www.airuniversity.af.mil [Air Force]. Students with non-military ACE units should request a transcript directly from the ACE website at acenet.edu.
Transfer Credit from Unaccredited Institutions
Units may be transferred from unaccredited institutions if approved through the academic petition process. The process will require documentation including, but not limited to, course syllabi, institutional academic catalogs and instructor information. Please note: any unaccredited coursework apprived for transfer to FPU will be accepted as elective credit only.
Prior Learning Assessment
Students with the necessary prerequisites and a minimum of two years of professional experience can learn how to reflect upon and make meaning out of their previous learning experiences in order to create learning portfolios. Those portfolios may then be submitted for consideration of college credits.
- Students enroll in a PLA 203x (UG) or PLA 7XX (GRAD) for every course in which they wish to earn up to 3 units of Prior Learning Assessment through the portfolio process. PLA offerings are $175.00 per course. Please note that fees are subject to change. There is a different course number for each UG subject area: PLA-203A through PLA-203J.
- Financial aid is not available for students taking PLA, regardless of how many courses they sign up for. Students will need to contact their Student Account Manager to discuss payment arrangements.
- It is possible for UG students to earn up to 30 units through the PLA process for a total cost out of pocket of $1,750.00. GRAD students may earn up to 6 PLA units.
- Per the FPU catalog, a maximum of 30 units may be awarded for Advanced Placement exams, College Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate exams, Military or ACE credit, and Prior Learning Assessment combined.
- There is no guarantee that submitted PLA portfolios will earn any unit credits, since credits are assessed by students' individual portfolio results.
- Credit is awarded for college-level learning associated with previous experiences; not for the experiences themselves. Learning narratives include a balance between theory and experience.
- FPU will only consider credit for experiential learning in academic disciplines currently offered at the university by FPU subject-matter experts.
- Students may submit PLA portfolios, receive instructive feedback, and then resubmit portfolios for reconsideration one time if needed. Further resubmissions are not available.
- Credit will be offered only once for a specific learning experience regardless of the earned credit source.
- There is no guarantee that PLA units are transferrable to another institution.
- For UG students, PLA courses do not fulfill major required coursework and are considered elective units only. For GRAD students, PLA courses may fulfill major required coursework.
- Grades for PLA are Credit/No Credit only and are not included in GPA calculations.
- A flat fee ($175) is charged each time a student registers for a PLA course. The fee is not based on the number of credits awarded. The number of earned units is determined by the faculty assessor.
- PLA coursework is not allowable for remediation of SAP status and is not available for Seminary students.
- PLA courses must be completed no less than 15 weeks prior to graduation.
UG topic courses for each of these academic disciplines:
- PLA-203A Topics in Science
- PLA-203B Topics in Business
- PLA-203C Topics in Education
- PLA-203D Topics in Visual and Performing Arts
- PLA-203F Topics in Humanities
- PLA-203G Topics in Religion
- PLA-203J Topics in Social Sciences
PLEASE NOTE: A combined maximum of 30 units can be awarded for Advance Placement exams (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Military or ACE Credit, Unaccredited Transfer Credit and/or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Course Modes
Courses are offered in different types of delivery modes: face-to-face, online, and blended.
Lecture Courses
Lecture courses meet in a face-to-face, traditional class setting for the equivalent of 15 class hours for each unit of credit. This course assumes approximately two hours of student work outside of class for each hour spent in class. Therefore, student time for a 3-unit course is assumed to be 135 hours (45 hours in class and 90 hours of student preparation).
Online Courses
An online course has most or all of the content delivered online. Online courses typically have no face-to-face meetings and all materials and activities are Internet based. Multimedia components may include: text, email, discussion boards, chat utilities, voice over Internet protocol, instant messaging, synchronous audio, video clips, interactive activities, simulations, games, self-grading exercises, quizzes, examinations, websites and other Internet resources.
Online courses that do not set specific times when all students must be online are described as being asynchronous. Online courses that set specific times when all students must be online are described as being synchronous.
Blended Courses
A blended, or hybrid, course blends online and face-to-face delivery. A blended course has required face-to-face meetings and online work.
Directed Study Courses
A directed study is a cataloged course taken by special arrangement and approved only to expand program offers or meet specific program requirements that cannot be met in other ways. Typically the course is taught on an individual basis because of scheduling conflicts or other compelling reasons. The course objectives and activities will generally follow the syllabus, with adaptions as appropriate. Prior approval is required by the instructor, program director or mentor/advisor and the dean.
Before permission is granted to meet a requirement by means of a directed study, the following options must have been explored and not found to be feasible:
- Substitution of another course for the required course.
- Waiver of the requirement
Directed studies must meet the following criteria:
- The amount of work required must be equivalent to that required in the regular course.
- The student is held to the same measures of quality as in the regular course.
- The number of hours of consultation between professor and student for each unit of credit granted should follow established FPU standards.
- The request must be approved by the instructor, the program director or mentor/advisor and the dean.
Special Course Registration forms for requesting permission to enroll for directed study are available in the Registrar's Office or its website.
Enrichment Courses
Selected courses are available for non-credit, personal enrichment, and are intended for individuals from the community to benefit from regular courses in the curriculum, subject to space availability and instructor approval. This option is available at no cost to current FPU students and current employees; for all others, the enrichment fee is charged (see Costs and Financial Aid ). No admission application is required for enrollment in this option. Courses taken under the enrichment option are recorded on the transcript and are given a non-evaluative grade of E (enrichment).
Independent Study Courses
An independent study is a means of conducting in-depth research on a subject or for studying an area not covered by, but related to, the regular curriculum.
In order to receive credit for independent study, the student must develop a written learning contract with a professor, outlining specific objectives, learning activities and criteria for evaluation. Contact hours should meet established FPU standards. All independent study courses must have prior written approval of the appropriate program director (or equivalent). Independent study is to be used only in cases in which the course content is not available in a regular course and there is clear justification for offering the option. Most courses may not be taken by independent study.
The number of units and the fulfillment of specific degree requirements students may take in an independent study capacity varies by degree program. Specific information may be obtained by contacting the relevant program director (or equivalent).
University Scholars Program
University Scholars Program (USP) courses are honors courses offered in several general education disciplines that fulfill general education requirements and in several academic majors as determined by program faculty. USP courses are not merely intensive general education or more strenuous major courses, but rather offer students an enriched and expanded educational experience in small classes. USP courses are designated with an H in the course number (e.g., HIST 120H .)
Academic Calendar
The academic year is divided into terms. The traditional undergraduate calendar is divided into three terms: the fall and spring terms, each 15 weeks in length, and a summer term. The degree completion calendar is divided into two terms, each six months long. Short-term course sessions within each term may be offered. The university only grants academic credit in semester units. For more information, see the Academic Calendars .
Registration
Only individuals who are registered may attend classes. (Traditional undergraduate wait-listed students may attend for the first two weeks of the semester.) All registrations or course additions must be approved by the student's mentor, advisor or program director as the first step of the registration process. The second step is to register online for the approved courses. Previous FPU financial responsibilities must be met before registration can occur.
Non-registered student do not have access to class information in Sunbird Central and will not be able to turn in assignments or receive grades. No petitions will be allowed for late registration after the fourth week of the session at the latest. (See charts which follow for earlier deadlines).
It is the responsibility of students to make changes in registration, such as dropping courses after the first week, withdrawing from programs, etc. within the appropriate deadlines. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade and financial indebtedness.
Students may verify registered courses by viewing their official class schedule on Sunbird Central. Specific registration deadlines are given on the Fresno Pacific Registrar's Office website. Check the academic calendars for specific dates when registration opens.
Agreement Policy
Registration signifies that the student agrees to abide by the policies and procedures by the university. The university reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who does not comply. This agreement is in keeping with the university's philosophy that students should be aware of the dimensions and constraints of the educational community in which they participate during the years of their enrollment. Students are required to respect the various academic and administrative deadlines listed in the academic calendar and other university publications.
Traditional Undergraduate Students
Students wishing to exceed 20 units must submit an academic petition. Undergraduate students who wish to take advantage of the four-year graduation guarantee must register the first week that registration is open.
Degree Completion and DSE Students
Students may take a maximum of 24 units per semester. Students who have an FPU GPA of 3.0 or higher may appeal this policy to their program advisor, who will take into consideration all relevant factors before allowing additional units. Students wishing to exceed 24 units must submit an academic petition.
Because of the compressed nature of DC courses, students may wish to limit their course registration to two simultaneous classes.
Course Availability
The university makes every reasonable effort to offer courses as announced. However, the university reserves the right to modify the class schedule or to cancel courses as necessary. Students may be administratively transferred to equivalent class sections. Not all courses listed in this catalog are offered each term.
Early registration is advised for general education and elective courses. Courses with low enrollment two weeks prior to the start of class may be cancelled or students may be transferred to an online version of the course.
Wait List
When a course reaches its authorized capacity, a student may request to be placed on a wait list. A course wait list is a list of students who wish to register for a course if and when space becomes available. For additional information on the policies and procedures related to course wait lists, please refer to the Waitlist Policy.
Course Drops
Students who do not intend to complete a course should drop it online via Sunbird Central during the first week. Students who attend and drop the first week will not receive a grade. After the first week, see Course Withdrawals. Refunds and grades are based on the last day of attendance. Students must drop the course online by the drop deadline. Students who are unable to attend due to an emergency should contact the instructor and request an excused absence. After the first week, it is the students' responsibility to withdraw from courses they do not intend to complete. Each week the refund amount decreases (see Financial information for details). Failure to drop courses in a timely manner will result in failed grades and financial responsibility for payment. Students may be administratively dropped for not meeting satisfactory academic progress or failure to follow university rules.
Course Withdrawals
Students may attend courses and still withdraw from them until the appropriate deadline. See the Academic Calendar section for specific dates. Students who withdraw from courses after the first week but before the drop deadline will receive a grade of W. The grade of W does not affect GPA, but does affect satisfactory academic progress. Students who attend courses after the deadline will receive a grade from the instructor. Students may petition to drop a course after the deadline and receive a grade of W. (See Petition Policy). Dropping a course may invalidate the four year graduation guarantee for traditional undergraduate students. See the chart which follows for additional information.
Course Drops for Traditional Undergraduate: 2-16 Week Courses
Percent Refund for Last Day of Attendance
Course Type |
Week |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
Full Semester
16 Weeks
|
% Refund
|
100
|
25
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Grade |
no grade |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
Session
8-9 Week Courses
|
% Refund
|
100
|
25
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Grade |
no grade |
W |
W |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
Summer Session
6-7 Week Courses
|
% Refund
|
100
|
25
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Grade |
no grade |
W |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Drop Form/Online |
Petition |
|
Short Course
4-5 Week Courses
|
% Refund
|
100
|
25
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
Grade |
no grade |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
Short Course
2-3 Weeks
|
% Refund
|
100
|
0
|
0
|
|
Grade |
W |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
Course Drops for Traditional Undergraduate: 1-7 Day Courses
Chart Key: The Week row refers to the ordinal week of the semester/session (e.g., Week 1 refers to Monday through Sunday of the first week of the semester/session.) The percent refund and grade are based on the last day of attendance. In the Grade row, F* is the grade of F, the grade earned, or the grade of W granted via petition. The Process row designates the process to follow and refers to the week the process completed online, not to the last day of attendance.
Refund and Grade Percent Refund for Last Day of Attendance
Course Type |
Days |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
6-7 Day Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Grade |
no grade |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
4-5 Day Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grade |
no grade |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
1-3 Day Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grade |
no grade |
F* |
F* |
|
Percent |
Online |
Petition |
Course Drops for Degree Completion Students
Refund and Grade Percent Refund for Last Day of Attendance
Course Type |
Session |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
Full Semester |
% Refund |
100 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Grade |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
8-9 Week Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grade |
W |
W |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
6-7 Week Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grade |
W |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
4-5 Week Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grade |
W |
W |
F* |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
|
2-3 Week Courses/Weekend Courses |
% Refund |
100 |
0 |
0 |
|
Grade |
W |
F* |
F* |
|
Process |
Online |
Petition |
Chart Key: The Week row refers to the ordinal week of the course (e.g., Week 1 refers to the first class session of the course.) A weekend course is considered two class sessions (weeks).
Changing Section of a Continuing Sequence
Many of the courses offered in a program's curriculum are part of continuing sequences that extend over more than one term. When enrolling in the first term of a sequential course, students, in fact, enroll in that section for the duration of the course. Should substantial reasons exist for changing enrollment in a sequential course, students must obtain permission from the current course instructor, the proposed new instructor and the program director (or equivalent) or his/her designee. This authorization must be presented in writing to the Registrar's Office. After such approval is obtained, students must then follow existing add/drop procedures to change the section. Some courses do not allow for changes in sections.
Transcripts
Permanent Record
Only information of an academic nature is entered into the student academic record (transcript). That includes terms of attendance and coursework completed.
Official Records
Official transcripts are issued by the Registrar's Office. Transcripts are issued only at the request of the student, using the university's electronic request system. Transcripts will not be released to students who have outstanding obligations, financial or otherwise, to the university.
Official transcripts bear the institutional seal and the signature of the university registrar.
Fresno Pacific University cannot officially verify any coursework taken at another institution even if the student has a transcript on file from that institution.
Changes to Records
The Registrar's Office houses the official records of students and is responsible for maintaining and updating those records. It is the student's responsibility to keep the university apprised of all name, address and phone number changes. Students wishing to make changes in their address, telephone number or email address information should submit the Student Information form located on Sunbird Central.
The Registrar's Office requires appropriate documentation in order to change or correct a name, Social Security number or birth date. Documentation for a name change or date of birth correction is a driver's license. Documentation for a Social Security number correction is a Social Security card.
Enrollment Verification
The National Student Clearinghouse provides enrollment verification certifications for FPU students through its Web-based student self-service. This service also allows students to view their loan history and is free to students. This secure site provides 24-hour-a-day enrollment verifications/information.
Certificates are printed on demand. The site provides a single source for student loan information.
Current students may login to CampusCruiser. Click on My Services tab and select Enrollment Verification. Select Return on the National Clearinghouse link to process the request.
Marking System and Symbols Used on Transcripts
Grades
A |
Superior The student has demonstrated a quality of work and accomplishment far beyond the formal requirements and shown originality of thought and mastery of material. The A+ grade is not recognized as a valid grade in grade point average calculations and is not recorded on the student's transcript. |
B |
Above Average The student's achievement exceeds the usual accomplishment, showing a clear indication of initiative and grasp of subject. |
C |
Average The student has met the formal requirements and has demonstrated good comprehension of the subject and reasonable ability to handle ideas. |
D |
Below Average The student's accomplishment leaves much to be desired Minimum requirements have been met but were inadequate. |
F |
Failure The student has not met the minimum requirement. |
CR |
Credit Used upon completion of thesis, internship and for other specified courses. While work must be at least the equivalent of the grade required for program credit, CR is not used in computing grade point averages. |
NC |
No Credit The student has not achieved the minimum expectations of scholarship or credit in terms of the course objectives. The NC is not to be used in situations in which a grade of F is justified. It is not used in computing grade point averages. |
E |
Enrichment Non- evaluative grade indicating participation. |
I |
Incomplete Given only in extenuating circumstances. Work must be completed by the end of the succeeding term for traditional undergraduate students. For degree completion students, work must be completed within 30 days from the end of the class. |
IP |
In Progress To be used for certain theses, practica and internships. |
AU |
Audit Does not yield credit. Enrollment for audit is limited to original registration for the term or to properly approved changes within the first week. Registration and payment of fees are required for audit courses. |
UA |
Unsatisfactory Audit |
W |
Withdrawal Grade given to those who drop classes during the scheduled drop period. |
NR |
No Report Indication (to be used only by registrar) that as of the deadline for submitting grades, none had been received. See the Grade Reporting section. |
S |
Satisfactory Participation |
UA |
Unsatisfactory Participation |
Faculty may use pluses and minuses when grades fall between two categories. Note: a plus may not be used with a grade of A.
Grade Point Average (GPA) and Quality Points
For each unit in which the student is enrolled, he or she will receive quality points as follows:
Grade |
Quality Points |
A |
4 |
A - |
3.7 |
B+ |
3.3 |
B |
3 |
B - |
2.7 |
C+ |
2.3 |
C |
2 |
C - |
1.7 |
D+ |
1.3 |
D |
1 |
D - |
0.7 |
F |
0 |
A student's grade point average is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of units undertaken, excluding courses in which the grades CR, I, IP, NC, NR, W and AU were received. Transfer units are not counted in calculating the GPA on the Fresno Pacific University transcript. Only FPU credits counted toward a degree are used in calculating the cumulative GPA.
Credit-Bearing Grades
Courses with a grade below C- will not be credited toward the completion of major or minor requirements. Stricter standards may be applied in specific programs. (See program descriptions.) A grade of D- is required to be credited for general education and elective courses.
Grade Reporting and Appeals
Instructors report a grade for credit when all requirements for the course have been completed. The Registrar's Office must receive grades from instructors no later than the date published annually in the Academic Calendar.
If grades are not received on time by the registrar, an NR (No Report) will be entered on the student's transcript. Student who receive NR for their grade should contact their instructor.
After a grade has been reported to the university's registrar, the grade will not be changed unless a Grade Change Request form is submitted to the Registrar's Office. When there is a clerical or computation error, faculty may make grade changes up to two terms (fall, spring, summer) following completion of a course. Request for grade changes for any other reason should follow the grade appeals process that follows and should be initiated within six weeks of grade posting. Faculty are required to keep documentation that supports grades assigned for a minimum of one year.
Grade Appeals Process
In general, grades represent the faculty member's professional judgment of a student's performance in a course and, as such, are final. However, students have the right to ask a faculty member for an explanation of any grade received and may appeal a grade when they perceive that a final grade was biased, arbitrary or capricious. In those instances, students must follow the Grade Appeal Process.
General Principles
- Students are encouraged to seek advice in matters of concern about grades from their faculty or academic advisor.
- Grade appeals can be made only in instances where procedural issues are biased, arbitrary or capricious grading are in question, specifically any of the following:
- An obvious error in calculation.
- The instructor has applied more exacting stadards to the particular student.
- The grade was given on some other basis than performance in the course.
- The grade represents a substantial departure from the instructor's announced standards.
Repeated Courses
Some courses are designated as repeatable for credit each time a student enrolls. Whether a course is repeatable for credit is indicated in course descriptions.
When a student repeats a course not designated as repeatable for credit, the highest grade received is used to calculate the student's grade point average. Full tuition is charged for units of credit for repeated courses. A student is awarded credit only once for each course. The units in subsequent attempts will, however, be counted in determining the student's enrollment status. (For additional information, see Student Financial Services prior to registration.) No coursework may be repeated after the student's degree has been conferred. Students may repeat Fresno Pacific University courses for grade substitution only when both courses are taken at FPU.
Grade Replacement Policy
To replace a course grade, the student must retake the identical course number at Fresno Pacific University to receive the grade replacement. If a student opts to retake a course to replace a grade, the course with the higher grade will automatically replace the lower grade once the official grading is recorded in FPU's data system. Only the higher of the two grades will be calculated into the final cumulative GPA at FPU. Please note: The replaced [original] grade will remain on the official transcript within the term it was taken with a notation of the repeat status; the original grade will be calculated into that term's GPA and the cumulative GPA to date. The replaced [original] grade will not be used in the final cumulative GPA calculation.
Grading Alternatives
Auditing a Course
Students wishing to attend class without receiving credit may register as auditors. Enrollment as an auditor is subject to permission of the instructor. Regular class attendance is expected and students' participation in any or all classroom activities is at the discretion of the instructor. Check the Program Costs section of this catalog for the fee information. A course satisfactorily completed for audit is listed on the transcript with a grade of AU. Audit courses not satisfactorily completed will appear on the transcript with a grade of UA. The audit option is not available in all FPU courses. (See the Course Descriptions section.) Seminary Students may change their status in a course from credit to audit by the deadline indicated in the academic calendar. (The standard refund policies apply).
Incomplete Grade
Students may receive a grade of incomplete for a course when illness, family tragedy or similar difficulty makes it impossible for them to complete course requirements on time. Students must arrange for an Incomplete with their instructor and dean, complete the Incomplete Grade Request form and submit it to the Registrar's Office. Students do not reregister to finish incomplete coursework; however, students are required to finish coursework no later than the end of the stated deadline period. Normally the course must be completed with the instructor who assigned the incomplete grade. Incomplete grades that are not removed by the end of the deadline period will be converted automatically to an F grade for graded courses and to an NC for credit/no credit courses. A degree cannot be granted with an incomplete on the transcript.
Requests for incompletes are not approved in cases where students have no completed work due to negligence or lack of effort, or are not satisfied with their grade. Requests for incompletes must be submitted prior to the last day of class and must be approved by the instructor and the dean. When an incomplete is granted for graduate courses, course requirements must be completed before the end of the next sequential term (spring, summer, fall).
In-Progress Courses
A standard IP course is intended, by design, to span two or three terms (i.e., field practica). In-progress courses may not exceed a total of three terms, including the summer term. Deadlines are set by program directors. When students enroll in such courses the credits and final grades are deferred until the end of the last term of the course. A grade of IP is posted to a student's record at the end of the first term and remains until a final grade is issued.
A non-standard IP course may span one to three terms. Some students will finish one semester and others may finish in up to three semesters (including the summer term.) (See the Course Descriptions section.)
Credit/No Credit Grades
Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) units are not calculated into a student's GPA. Check course descriptions to see if a course is graded CR/NC or if it may be graded CR/NC if a student elects to do so.
Traditional Undergraduate
To receive a CR grade, the work must be at least the equivalent of the grade required for program credit, if not a grade of No Credit will be assigned. Students may elect to take letter- graded courses as credit/no credit (CR/NC) for elective coursework and if it is a course-listed option only. This option is intended to encourage students to undertake elective studies at advanced levels outside their major field and is therefore not available in courses being used to fulfill general education, major and/or minor requirements. Accordingly, elected CR/NC courses from other institutions may not transfer in to meet general education, major or minor requirements.
Exception: FPU challenged courses and courses taken in approved study abroad programs may meet general education, major and minor requirements, even though graded CR/NC.
Global Education Courses (Traditional Undergraduate)
FPU offers two global education programs: short-term cross cultural learning and cross-cultural programs through affiliated institutions.
All courses taken through affiliated institutions will be recorded on the FPU transcript as credit/no credit, except in those cases where prior to departure the student submits a written request to the Registrar's Office that all courses be letter-graded. Exception: U.S. global education program courses (e.g., American Studies Program) are letter- graded.
Instructor Evaluations
Students are asked to evaluate each course and instructor at the end of the term or session. A form is administered electronically and each student is asked to complete an evaluation form for each course completed. Students are encouraged to provide appropriate feedback and comments. Instructors are encouraged to incorporate feedback into their work. Comments on these forms are taken very seriously by the university and constitute one part of the faculty evaluation process.
Definition of a Full-Time Student
Baccalaureate students are defined as full-time when they enroll in 12 or more units per semester.
Units Per Semester |
Type of Student |
Full Time |
Three-fourths Time |
Half Time |
National |
12+ |
9-11 |
6-8 |
International |
12+ |
not allowed |
not allowed |
International Students
To abide by the regulations set by the Department of Homeland Security, students in the United States in F-1 status are required to be enrolled full-time. Exceptions to this law include, but are not limited to the final semester in which less than full-time units are required to complete the program.
International students should keep in contact with the International Programs and Services Office regarding their course schedules as exceptions may apply and documentation may be required. For more information please see the Fresno Pacific University website.
Active Enrollment
To remain on active status, students must enroll in consecutive semesters (excluding summer) or have an approved leave of absence. Students who have not enrolled in a class each semester and do not have an approved leave of absence will be administratively withdrawn. Students who wish to reenter a program after being inactive must reapply. Reentry students are required to meet any new program requirements in effect at the time of reentry. Students who plan to miss a semester should follow the leave of absence policy described below.
Baccalaureate Class Standing
Students are classified at the beginning of each semester according to the total number of FPU units completed and accepted transfer units.
Standing |
Minimum
Units |
Maximum
Units |
Freshman |
0 |
29 |
Sophomore |
30 |
59 |
Junior |
60 |
89 |
Senior |
90 |
|
Non-Matriculated Enrollment Status
Students seeking nondegree study should contact the Admissions Office, program office or the designated representative for a part-time application form. Information about courses, deadlines and registration procedures is available from the Registrar's Office. Not all courses are available to nondegree-seeking students. Additional permission may be required by the program director.
Students attending on a non-matriculated basis may not earn a degree and must register for courses on a space- available basis (enrollment in such courses is not guaranteed) with a limit of 6 units or two courses per semester. A maximum of 9 units of non-matriculated academic work may latter be applied towards a bachelor's degree. Students on a non-matriculated status are not eligible for federal, state or institutional financial aid.
Leave of Absence
A leave of absence is relevant for one semester and may be extended for a second consecutive semester by submitting an additional leave of absence form. A leave of absence may not go beyond two consecutive semesters. If the student is unable to return to active enrollment after being on leave for two consecutive semesters the student will be administratively withdrawn from the university due to non-enrollment. The student will need to apply for readmission with the university if the student decides to reenroll in their program at FPU. Please refer to the Readmissions policy.
Military Leave of Absence
A matriculated student who is called up to active duty with the military or deployed for military action is eligible for a military leave of absence. A military leave of absence will facilitate a student's return to Fresno Pacific University if the student wishes to return within one year of the date of discharge from active service or return from deployment.
To obtain a military leave of absece, students must submit the proper form and documentation as indicate above. When discharged from active duty or back from assignment, a student may register at FPU by contacting the Registrar's Office and declaring their intention to return. Documentation of discharge or reassignment will be required. Students returning from military leave of absence will be permitted to participate in the normal registration period with other students with similar class standing as determined by number of credit hours earned.
Students who are granted a military leave of absence but do not register for classes within one year of the date of discharge or reassignment must file an application for readmission within the Admissions Office to reenroll. New degree requirements may apply.
Administrative Withdrawal
Students who do not register or apply for a leave of absence by the end of the term will be administratively withdrawn from the university and dismissed from the academic program. The student must respond within 14 calendar days of the date posted on the notification letter (inclusive of the sent date) in order to remain active.
Withdrawal from the University
A university withdrawal is complete removal from enrollment at the university. Notifying university personnel of withdrawal from the university the student indicates that the student does not plan to return. All current and future enrollment is dropped/withdrawn and the student is withdrawn from the university. Once withdrawn, the student must reapply and be readmitted in order to return. Failure to drop/withdraw courses the student will not complete may result in failing grades and payment responsibility.
Students wishing to withdraw from the university after the course drop deadlines listed above and who have documented extenuating circumstances beyond their control must submit an academic petition for consideration. For more information, see Withdrawal Policy.
Attendance
The university expects regular class attendance by all students. Students who do not attend at least once during the first week of class will be administratively dropped from the course. Students should contact the instructor to request an excused absence if there are extenuating circumstances. Degree completion students may be excused for university purposes, but they are not excused for DC course or program purposes. Students are responsible for all academic work missed during absences. When an absence occurs, students should contact the instructor both as a courtesy and to check for missed assignments. Instructors maintain attendance electronically.
Students who will be absent for an extended period of time should refer to the leave of absence policy stated above. After the first week, students are responsible for dropping courses they will not attend or complete. (See the Drop Policy section.)
Corrections to a student's attendance record must be made no later than two terms following the completion of a course. After two terms, the attendance record will stand.
Attendance for Online and Blended Courses
Electronic attendance in blended and online courses is taken by an automated system, and may be amended by faculty. Faculty may adopt stricter requirements than those listed below, see course syllabus for details. For online courses, attendance is defined as academically engaging with the online course material at least once a week. For blended courses, regular attendance is defined as attending face-to-face instruction or academically engaging with online course material once a week at a minimum (Faculty may adopt stricter requirements). Failure to attend the online or the onsite portions of a course during a one-week period will result in an absence. Students registered for blended courses who neither attend the face-to-face instruction nor academically engage with the online course material during the first week will be marked absent and administratively dropped from the course.Online students who do not academically engage with the online course material during the first week will be marked absent and administratively dropped from the course.
Academic engagement is tracked by certain types of online activities. Academic engagement in the Moodle online environment is defined as submitting assignments and/or interacting with Moodle activities. Examples of Moodle activities are assignments, blogs, chat, choice, databases, discussion forums, glossary, journal, questionnaires, quizzes, surveys, wikis, or workshops. Logging into Moodle and/or looking at resources such as videos, websites, articles, or books are not output-type activities and will not be considered online attendance.
Automated attendance is recorded every Sunday at midnight for the previous Monday through Sunday week. Assignments done in a week other than the one when the assignment is due will not count towards attendance for any future or previous week. Students who do not participate in online activities weekly are at risk for failing the course, which may affect their academic or financial standing.
Traditional Undergraduate Students
Traditional undergraduate students must attend class during the first week of the semester/session; otherwise they will be administratively dropped. Wait-listed students will be given a chance to register for these courses through the second week of the semester. If there is no wait list, any eligible student may register for the course. Students who are unable, due to extenuating circumstances, to attend the first week of class should contact course faculty as soon as possible, but by Friday of the first week of the semester at the latest.
Co-Curricular Activities
Students are not penalized for missed class time if such absence occurs in conjunction with an approved FPU co-curricular activity. Classes missed during approved FPU co-curricular activities are excused absences. Students must notify instructors of approved absences prior to any missed class time. For the university's priority rating system to determine when co-curricular activities take priority over class time, please talk with your instructor. Athletics policies may be mandated by the NCAA. Student-athletes should speak with the Compliance Officer for additional details. All missed class work and assignments must be completed according to the schedule established by the instructor of the course.
Degree Completion Students
In an accelerated, nontraditional degree program attendance is mandatory, so there are no "excused" absences.
For online courses, failure to academically engage with the online course material at least once during a seven-day period is counted as an absence.
Students marked absent within an online course for two or more weeks automatically receive a grade of F.
For blended courses, an absence is defined as nonattendance for all or a portion of the face-to-face class session exceeding 20 minutes or failure to engage in an online activity. Students who are up to 19 minutes late will be marked tardy. Being tardy three times equals one absence. Students who are absent for more than one face-to-face or two online portions of class automatically receive a grade of F.
Students who do not attend the first week of class will be administratively dropped from the course, unless the instructor grants a notified absence. A notified absence at the first class session is still counted as an absence for course purposes.
In the course of a year, however, there may be a few unavoidable absences due to illness or unexpected, extenuating circumstances. If an absence is unavoidable, the student must inform the instructor. Two options are available at the discretion of the instructor.
- Complete make-up work. Doing make-up work is expected, but does not remove the absence from the student's record.
- Attend another cohort that is covering the missed material. A maximum of one class per course may be made up by attending another cohort. (This option may not always be available.) Attending another cohort will erase the absence from the student's record.
Degree Requirements
Fresno Pacific University offers bachelor's degrees and master's degrees. Specific course requirements are listed in the general education and program sections of this catalog. Traditional undergraduate students are required to meet with their mentor and to make an educational plan that will detail specific course requirements needed to earn their degree.
Bachelor's Degree
Requirements
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree are:
- A minimum of 120 semester units, which includes
- General education requirements.
- Major requirements, chosen from one of the available programs. Minor(s) and additional majors may also be chosen, but are not required for the degree.
- Elective courses as needed to complete the 120- unit minimum.
- All incompletes and outstanding grades must be resolved.
Minimums
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0 must be completed in each of the following:
- All baccalaureate coursework at Fresno Pacific University.
- Coursework in the major and minor (no grade below a C- is acceptable in major and minor courses).
- A minimum of 30 units must be taken at FPU. Course challenge credit may not be used to meet this minimum.
- A minimum of 18 units in the major must be taken at FPU.
- A minimum of 40 units must be taken in upper- division courses.
Maximums
- A maximum of 8 total activity units in art, athletics, drama, journalism, music and physical education, with a maximum of 4 units in a single area, will be counted toward the 120 units required for the degree. Activity course units required in a major or a minor may exceed the 4 unit cap in a single area, but are limited to the number of units specified for that area in the program description.
- A maximum of 15 units of courses taken under the CR/NC option policy may be applied towards degree requirements. (See credit/no credit option policy.)
- A maximum of 6 units of graduate-level credit may be applied towards a bachelor's degree.
- A maximum of 9 units in ESL (English as a Second Language) per semester up to a total of 16 units may be applied towards degree requirements. Only ESL units taken at Fresno Pacific University are applicable toward degree requirements; ESL coursework from transfer institutions do not apply.
Transfer lower-division coursework will be applicable under the following conditions:
- Transferable lower-division courses will be used to meet FPU lower-division major requirements, subject to all other academic policies.
- Up to two transferable lower-division courses may be used to meet major upper-division course requirements, with the exception of certain courses as specified by the department.
- Degree Completion exception: No lower-division transfer courses may be used to meet major program requirements.
Four-Year Graduation Guarantee
Students who earn their bachelor's degree in four years get a head start toward achieving their personal goals, entering top graduate schools and becoming leaders in their professions and communities. Fresno Pacific University will guarantee graduation within four years to qualified students entering the traditional undergraduate program. FPU commits to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. Students who fulfill their responsibilities and are not able to graduate in four years will receive the needed courses in the next semester at no cost in tuition or student fees. This guarantee further demonstrates that a degree from FPU is an excellent investment in academic quality as well as professional and ethical development. See the Admissions section for limitations and student responsibilities.
Two-Year TUG Transfer Guarantee
FPU Traditional Undergraduate program guarantees a student can complete their degree in just two years.
If students meet the qualification requirements, fulfill their responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-yr. period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.
Incoming Requirements
- Have at least 60 transferable units from the California Community College system with an ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer)
- Have completed the necessary pre-requisites in the discipline specific to your intended major
- Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student Responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
- Enroll in an average of 15- 18 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
- Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
- Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
- Make up units for any failed courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15-18 units per semester or enroll in a summer semester.
- Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
- Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester timeframe.
- Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
- Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
- General education classes from a Community College with "D+" or lower are non-transferable and may require additional courses and semesters to graduate.
- Obtain written contract from your academic advisor. This guarantee may not apply to all programs, or transferring into a spring semester start.
*If you are transferring to FPU from the California Community College system with an AA-T or AS-T, your FPU lower-division general education [GE] requirements may be fulfilled.
Declaring a Major
Each student must select a major (or majors) no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. Students who wish to take advantage of the traditional undergraduate four year graduation guarantee must declare a major in the second semester of their freshman year and keep that major. Please refer to the Registrar's Office website to declare majors or minors.
Personalized Majors
Personalized majors may be created in consultation with faculty mentors/advisors. Students should recognize that a personalized major, while authorized by the university, may not be recognized as a field of study or form of professional preparation by outside agencies and professions. A personalized major must have a minimum of 32 units. For additional information on how to declare a personalized major, please speak with your mentor or advisor.
Double Majors
A student may complete up to two majors for a bachelor's degree. A double major is defined as two majors in the same type of degree (e.g. two majors in a Bachelor of Arts degree or two majors in a Bachelor of Science degree.) Double majors are usually completed concurrently and are not considered a dual bachelor's degree (see below). If taken concurrently, both majors are listed on one diploma.
A double major is subject to the following conditions:
General studies courses completed for one major may be applied to the second major. If there are unique general education requirements for the second major, they must also be met. If the general education requirements for the second major differ from the first, both sets must be met in full.
The prerequisites and requirements of both majors are completed and are subject to the Course Overlap Policy, which follows.
Second Bachelor's Degree
At least 30 units of the second major (24 units in upper-division and at least 15 in the major area) are completed at Fresno Pacific University in addition to the residence requirement of the first major. (Degree completion exception: all courses for both majors must be taken at FPU.)
All other degree requirements, limitations, etc., apply to both majors (e.g., grade point average.)
A second major taken at a later time is subject to the major and general education degree requirements in effect at acceptance into the second program. If requirements are met, an updated diploma will be issued, but students will not participate in a second commencement ceremony. The double major will also be noted on transcripts.
A dual degree is defined as two majors in two different bachelor's degrees (e.g. a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree). A dual bachelor's degree may be granted to a student subject to the same four conditions as a double major.
Two diplomas are issued, whether the majors are completed concurrently or not. If taken non-concurrently, the student is not eligible to participate in a second commencement ceremony. Both degrees are noted on the student's transcripts.
Minors
Students may select a minor (or minors) from the traditional undergraduate programs. Students are not required to complete a minor to meet degree requirements, except in specified majors. Of units required for a minor, at least one-half must be completed at Fresno Pacific University. Minors are open to students upon approval from the program director.
Traditional Undergraduate Minors
Personalized minors may be created in consultation between faculty mentors/advisors and traditional undergraduate students. Students should recognize that a personalized minor, while authorized by the university, may not be recognized as a field of study or form of professional preparation by outside agencies and professions. A personalized minor must have a minimum of 16 units. For additional information on how to declare a personalized minor, please speak with your mentor or advisor.
Degree Completion Minors
Degree completion students who minor in a traditional undergraduate program are not eligible for traditional undergraduate awards and are encouraged to consult with Student Financial Services regarding implications of a traditional undergraduate minor on financial aid.
Degree completion students seeking a traditional undergraduate minor must apply for admission through the traditional undergraduate admissions office for a minor offered in the traditional undergraduate programs. Degree completion students are not eligible for personalized minors.
Course Overlap Policy
A student may use an individual course to meet a requirement in more than one area of the curriculum [i.e., general education, major, minor]. This is referred to as a course overlap. The following policies apply to course overlap.
- An overlap course may be applied in only two areas of the curriculum. In other words, an overlap course may not be used to meet requirements in three or more areas of the curriculum.
- Students completing dual emphases in one major may not overlap any courses between the emphases.
- Between any pairing of the two areas of the curriculum (including two majors), the maximum number of overlap courses is three.
- The total number of overlap courses a student is allowed is six.
- Since the focus series is a part of the general education program, courses used to meet focus series requirements may not overlap with other general education courses.
- Liberal studies majors may not overlap any courses between their concentration and general education except for focus series requirements. Concentration requirements may also overlap with a minor.
Student Example |
Requirements Met |
Courses |
General Education Requirement
Major Requirement |
THEO 465 |
Major Requirement
Minor Requirement |
BLIT 330
THEO 300
REL 418 |
Minor Requirement
General Education Requirement |
COM 420 |
Major #1 Requirement
Major #2 Requirement |
REL 460 |
Major emphasis 1 requirement
Major emphasis 2 requirement |
No course overlaps allowed |
- This student could not use THEO 465 in the minor (point 1).
- The student has reached the three overlap course maximum between major and minor (point 3).
- The student has reached the six total overlap course maximum (point 4).
Degree Completion Students
Only three Designated Subject Education courses may be used towards a degree as electives.
Conferral of Degrees and Commencement
Completion of academic requirements for a degree is termed conferral. The ceremony celebrating this achievement is commencement. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation from the university or satisfactory completion of program requirements.
Degree Application
All graduating students must make a formal application for the degree and pay the fee with the Registrar's Office by the deadline listed below. Students who fail to complete degree requirements within two consecutive semesters will be required to reapply and pay the corresponding fee again. Graduation ceremonies are held twice per year, in May and December. Applications for Degree are obtained from the Registrar's Office website.
Commencement Eligibility
All students must meet the commencement eligibility requirements listed on the website. For more information, see the Registrar's Office website.
Diplomas
Degrees are conferred upon satisfactory completion of all requirements following the final evaluation and transcript posting by the Registrar's Office. Diplomas are mailed to graduates several weeks after the posting of the degree and verification that all FPU financial obligations have been met. The conferral record is considered permanent and cannot be changed after the student has graduated. The program name, title and requirements are based on the matriculation catalog.
Honors and Awards
Latin Honors
Undergraduate students who have earned a minimum number of graded units, at Fresno Pacific University and meet the standards listed below are eligible for degree honors, which are posted to the student's transcript and noted on the diploma. Traditional undergraduate students must earn at least 45 graded units at FPU. Degree completion students must earn a minimum 45 graded units or the number of units required for a Degree Completion program, whichever is less.
Degree honors, based on FPU work attempted, are determined according to the following.
Honor |
FPU GPA |
Summa Cum Laude |
3.90 - 4.00 |
Magna Cum Laude |
3.70 - 3.89 |
Cum Laude |
3.55 - 3.69 |
Honors listed in the printed commencement program are provisional since grading may not be complete.
Awards
A special award is given each academic year to the traditional undergraduate graduating student(s) with the highest grade point average. The recipient must have completed 60 units at FPU and be listed as a graduate in the commencement program. This is announced at the spring commencement ceremony.
The Harold Haak Academic Achievement Award is presented at the spring commencement ceremony. The recipient of this award is selected by the faculty on the basis of academic excellence, contribution to the college community and future promise.
Student and Faculty Dispute Resolution
Occasionally a student may find cause to question the action of a professor regarding requirements of a course, teaching effectiveness, comments made in a class that seem derogatory or inflammatory, criticism of the student, general performance or sanctions given for academic dishonesty. Students should first discuss their concerns with the instructor. If the student and faculty member cannot resolve the issue satisfactorily or if the student does not feel comfortable, speaking directly with the instructor the student should consult with the chair of the division in which the course is lodged, who will attempt to resolve the issue. Decisions may be appealed to the dean of the appropriate school for a final resolution.
Petition and Appeals
A request for an exception to a published university academic policy must be made in writing and initiated through the Registrar's Office. For additional details, please refer to the Registrar Office's website.
Continued Enrollment
The university desires to see students complete their academic goals, whether a degree, a certificate, or a credential. Support is available to students who are experiencing difficulties. (See the Student Services section in the Student Handbook.) However, students must follow university policies and achieve academic progress in order to remain enrolled in the university. Registration signifies that the student agrees to abide by the rules, regulations and requirements of the university. The university reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who does not comply. This agreement is in keeping with the university's philosophy that students should be aware of the dimensions and constraints of the educational community in which they participate during the years of their enrollment.
Please view the Student Handbook for all policies and see academic policies below.
Failure to Meet Standards
When one or more of the above standards are not met, the following actions may be taken: warning status, probation, mandatory leave of absence, or termination. Each policy area has a process for administration and appeal. Administrative actions may include, but are not limited to the following.
- Warning
Warning status, with or without a remediation plan, can be recommended when the nature of the difficulty or infraction does not require more serious or more immediate action.
- Probation
Probationary status is recommended when a student's academic progress or professional development has been inconsistent with university requirements. A student is given a specific amount of time (usually one term) in which to remediate the cause(s) of probation or will otherwise face disqualification from the program.
- Disqualification
A student may be disqualified from registering for university classes or withdrawn from classes. There are two types of disqualification: mandatory leave of absence and termination.
- Mandatory Leave of Absence
A student is placed on mandatory leave of absence when the situation requires serious remediation that necessitates withdrawal from the university in order to complete the required remediation
- Termination
A student may be terminated from the academic program when conditions are judged to be of a serious nature.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Academic Progress
Fresno Pacific University believes in the importance of students maintaining academic rigor. See the Costs and Financial Aid section for additional information. Students who wish to remain enrolled will be required to appeal. Please see the Registrar's Office for additional information on how to appeal an academic disqualification.
Readmissions
Students may regain eligibility by submitting a written appeal. Students who successfully appeal may enroll and complete coursework that improves their cumulative FPU GPA and/or completion rate to bring them in full compliance with the Academic Standards. For additional details on the appeals process, please refer to the Registrar Office's website.
Academic Integrity Policy
All people participating in the educational process at Fresno Pacific University are expected to pursue honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic work. Fresno Pacific University seeks to take a restorative approach to actions of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of university rules and policy, but it is seen primarily as an indication of broken relationship and a separation between the offender (student) and the university community. It also jeopardizes the growth and learning of the individual and is a disadvantage to those people who do their work with integrity. The offense and response to it are seen as an opportunity for constructive learning and growth and for the offender to be restored to the community. This restorative approach emphasizes acceptance of responsibility for harm done and searches for responses and consequences that facilitate learning and restoration.
Definitions
It is the student's responsibility to know and understand what constitutes academic dishonesty and to seek guidance when in doubt about these matters. Fresno Pacific University defines academic dishonesty as follows:
Term |
Definition |
Cheating |
Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids or extended assistance in any academic activity, exercise or exam. |
|
|
Plagiarism |
Plagiarism is theft and can be committed intentionally or unintentionally. Plagiarism can occur by representing the writings, works or ideas of another as one's own or by copying material from a resource without proper citation. Exact copying should be correctly documented; for example, students should use footnotes or endnotes when appropriate. Paraphrasing, when the basic sentence structure, phraseology and unique language remain the same, also requires proper citation. |
|
|
Sabotage |
Willfully damaging or impeding the academic work of another person. This has particular application to computer files, library resources and laboratory or studio work and may include software piracy, constructing and introducing viruses into a system or copying copyrighted programs. This may also include deliberately depriving others of necessary academic sources. |
|
|
Fabrication or Falsification |
Altering or inventing any information or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes falsification or unauthorized modification of any academic records. This may also include attempting to gain advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise through such means as lying about the need for an extension on a paper. |
|
|
Aiding and Abetting |
Helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty. For example, students may not duplicate work nor allow others to conduct research or prepare work for them without advance authorization of the instructor. |
|
|
Reuse or Re- Submitting of Work |
Submitting work or significant portions of some work for use in more than one course without the instructor's knowledge and permission. |
Consequences of Student Academic Dishonesty
Although first, second and third offenses typically result in the same consequences, the university seeks to review every situation as unique. For additional information on the standard consequences for academic dishonesty, please speak with your mentor, advisor or the Registrar's Office.
First Offense
The typical consequence for a recognized first offence is a zero on the assignment. However, depending upon the nature of the violation, the response may be:
- Appointment with the director of the Center for Writing and Learning.
- Meet with a special tutor, program director, mentor/advisor or sponsor.
- Re-do assignment (e.g., paper or exam) with guidelines for re-submission.
- Complete an additional substitute assignment.
- Re-do assignment for less credit.
- Reduction of grade for an assignment.
- Zero on the assignment.
- Reduction of overall course grade.
- Withdrawal from or failure of course.
- Other consequences agreed upon by the student and faculty member
All student/faculty mutually determined and agreed-upon responses (and fulfilled agreements) will be reported to the appropriate dean and the student's mentor or advisor.
Multiple Offenses
All second or multiple offenses of any kind will be treated as recognized and intentional (i.e., as known, willful violations) and dealt with by the appropriate dean. Multiple offenses may include:
- Second/third/subsequent offenses.
- Different types of offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, etc.)
- Simultaneous offenses (e.g., in different courses).
- Unintentional followed by intentional offenses.
The typical response for a second or multiple violations maybe failure of the course, loss of eligibility for honors, possible loss of financial aid and may result in reduction or removal of scholarships at the discretion of the dean. The typical response for a third violation will be disqualification from attendance at the university, which becomes part of the student's official record.
Students who do not believe they have violated academic integrity or believe the options/outcomes are disproportionate may appeal the decision through the Provost's Office or FPUProv@fresno.edu. Appeals must be sent in writing (hard copy or email) within 72 hours of the student receiving notification from the Dean's Assistant of the professor's and/or Dean's decision.
University Scholars Program
Program Director: W. Marshall Johnston, Ph.D.
Overview
The University Scholars Program (USP) offers traditional undergraduate students of outstanding academic ability and motivation an opportunity to nurture their gifts for leadership and service to God, their communities and the world at large. Scholars develop research and critical reasoning skills based on in-depth knowledge in the following areas: community engagement, human communication, global/cross-cultural studies, health/wellness and environment/economic ethics.
USP courses are not merely intensive general education or more strenuous major courses, but rather offer students an enriched and expanded educational experience in small classes. USP courses are honors courses, offered in several general education disciplines that fulfill general education requirements and in several academic majors as determined by program faculty. USP courses are designated with an H in the course number (e.g., HIST 120H .) University Scholar graduation status is awarded to students who successfully complete a minimum of 15 units of USP courses and graduate with a 3.5 FPU GPA.
Admissions Requirements
USP courses are open to all FPU undergraduate students. New and returning Paragon, President's, Transfer and Dean's Scholars or students with a GPA of 3.4 and above have immediate access to honors courses. Other current FPU students wishing to enroll in honors courses will be required to submit a letter of recommendation from an FPU professor or, if a transfer student, from a professor from their previous college/university. The letter should be submitted to the instructor of the USP course or the USP director.
|